3G Dongle Internet Portugal

The availability of a a good mobile phone signal DOES NOT mean you will have a good signal with a dongle!!! It is very very important to understand this.

In Portugal, and most of Europe, most operators still operate 2G/UMTS mobile networks which only transmit data (i.e. Internet) at a slow speed.

Broadband over the mobile phone network (such as in Portugal, Vodafone/TMN/Optimus Dongles), only operates at full broadband speeds when one in in range of a 3G equipped mobile phone mast. 3G is more powerful but its range and strength is much less than 2G. Furthermore, in some cases, one can receive a 3G signal outside a property, but if the walls are thick, one may find that you can only get a 2G inside a house. I have had several clients who have had this experience. They have bought a dongle and then find it does not work at the speeds intended inside the house. They then have to trail back to the shop and get their money back.

It is, therefore, imperative to test that you can receive a good 3G mobile signal in your property before purchasing the gear.

Unlocked 3G USB Sticks/Dongles

Companies like vodafone have programmed the USB Sticks/Dongles to be country and company specific. This means that, in general, a vodafone UK stick will not work with a vodafone portugal sim.

However, just found this site on the web selling unblocked sticks that might help you:

http://bit.ly/b4lbEZ

Apple Retailers in the Lisbon/Lisboa, Portugal Metro Area

List of all offical Apple Retailers in the Lisbon Metro Area courtesy of Apple.com. (May 2010)

1. EL CORTE INGLES - LISBOA
AVDAS ANTONIO AUGUSTO DE AGUILAR
MARQUES DA FRONTEIRA E SIDONIO PAIS
1069-413 - LISBOA
Tel. 351 213 711 700

2. TB STORE AV 5 OUTUBRO
AV 5 DE OUTUBRO N.º 26B
1050 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-291-002 340

3. TB STORE COLOMBO
CENTRO COMERCIAL COLOMBO
AVENIDA LUSIADA, LOJA 0.022
1500-392 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-210 129 632

4. IBERDIGITAL
AV. COLÉGIO MILITAR, 28-9º ESQ
1500-185 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217156510

5. INFORMANTEM
URB.DO POLO TECNOLÓGICO
DE LISBOA,LOTE 3
1600-546 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217101600

6. PLACALOGICA
RUA FERNÃO LOPES Nº 9-5º DTº
1000-132 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-213521206

7. FNAC CHIADO
RUA DO CAMO, 2
ARMAZÉNS DO CHIADO, LOJA 407
1200-094 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

8. POWERHOUR
AV. INFANTE SANTO, 70 G
1350-180 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-934554305

9. RESOLUÇÃO GRÁFICA
CALÇADA DA PAMPULHA, 35
1200-751 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-213959076

10. DISTRILOC
RUA DOS LUSÍADAS, 6B
1300-370 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 315 89 54

11. FNAC ALMADA
CAMINO MUNICIPAL, 1101, LOJA 1.49
VALE DE MOURELOS
2800 - ALMADA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

12. VOBIS ALMADA
FORUM ALMADA, LOJA 1.33
RUA CAMILO MUNICIPAL, 1011
2800 - ALMADA

13. COLORFOTO
PRAÇA DE ALVALADE Nº 2D
1700-035 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217932475

14. WORTEN COLOMBO
AV. LUSÍADA
CENTRO COMERCIAL COLOMBO
1500-392 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 711 3940

15. MEDIAMARKT BENFICA
AVENIDA GENERAL NORTON DE MATOS
1500-213 - LISBOA

16. FNAC COLOMBO
C.C COLOMBO LOJA A-103
AVDA LUSIADA - CENTRO COLOMBO
1500-392 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

17. VOBIS COLOMBO
CENTRO COMERCIAL COLOMBO
LOJA A005, AV. LUSÍADA, LETRAS CC
1500 - 392 - LISBOA

18. WORTEN BARREIRO
LUGAR ALTO DO ROMÃO, LT 32
2830 - VILA CHÃ - BARREIRO
Tel. 212149320

19. AVANTGARDE
RUA FERNANDO NAMORA Nº 44-B
1600-454 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-217122010

20. WORTEN AMADORA
ESTRADA NACIONAL 249-1
VENTEIRA
2724-520 - AMADORA
Tel. 214179214

21. WORTEN TELHEIRAS - WRT
AVENIDA DAS NAÇÕES UNIDAS
TELHEIRAS
1600 - LISBOA
Tel. 217114482

22. WORTEN FORUM BARREIRO
RUA STARA ZAGORA
URBANIZAÇÃO DAS CORDOARIAS, LOJA 0,29
2830-364 - BARREIRO
Tel. 212067440

23. NORMATICA
RUA PEDROUÇOS, 28
1400-290 - LISBOA
Tel. +351-213041600

24. INFORMÁTICA EL CORTE INGLÊS,S.A.
RUA QUINTA DO PINHEIRO,
16 - 4º E - EDIF. TEJO
2790-143 - CARNAXIDE
Tel. +351-214166100

25. FNAC ALFRAGIDE
AV. DOS CAVALEIROS
C.C ALEGRO ALFRAGIDE - LOJA 52
2790-045 - ALFRAGIDE
Tel. 707 20 36 22

26. WORTEN SEIXAL
RIO SUL SHOPPING, QTA. NOVA DO JUDEU
ESTRADA NACIONAL 10; FOGUETEIRO
2840-293 - SEIXAL
Tel. 212279765

27. VOBIS VASCO DA GAMA
AVENIDA D. JOÃO II
CC VASCO DA GAMA, LOJA 2115
1990 - 094 - LISBOA

28. WORTEN VASCO GAMA
AV. D.JOÃO II
CENTRO COMERCIAL VASCO DA GAMA
1990-094 - LISBOA
Tel. 218930827

29. VOBIS SEIXAL
QUINTA NOVA DO JUDEU
EN 10 FOGUETEIRO
2840 - AMORA

30. CPC NET
RUA ALFREDO SILVA, Nº 2 - 4º
2610-016 - AMADORA
Tel. +351-214720322

31. DECIMAGEM
RUA ALFREDO SILVA, 8
- PISO 1 ESCRIT. C
2610-016 - AMADORA
Tel. +351-214707530

32. FNAC VASCO DE GAMA
C. VASCO DE GAMA
AV. D. JOAO II LOTE 1.05.02
1990-094 - LISBOA
Tel. 21 940 47 00

33. MEDIAMARKT ALFRAGIDE
RUA DO CANAS, Nº5
2790-204 - CARNAXIDE

34. WORTEN ALHOS VEDROS
ESTRADA NACIONAL 11 -1
(EXTINTA CORTICEIRA IBERICA)
2860-004 - ALHOS VEDROS
Tel. 212029430

35. WORTEN DOLCE VITA TEJO
DOLCE VITA TEJO, LOJA 0005
AV. CRUZEIRO SEIXAS, 5 E 7
2650-504 - AMADORA
Tel. 211 550 212

36. WORTEN ARROJA
URB. COLINAS DO CRUZEIRO, LOTE1
ZONA 6 - POMBAIS - ODIVELAS
ODIVELAS
Tel. 219349650

37. WORTEN LOURES - WRT
ESTRADA NACIONAL 250
QUINTA CASAL DA PIPA
2670 - LOURES
Tel. 210 424 258

38. WORTEN S. JOÃO TALHA
EN 10 GAVETO COM A RUA BRASIL
2695 - S. JOÃO TALHA
Tel. 219947370

39. VOBIS MONTIJO
SÍTIO DO PAU QUEIMADO
2870 - 100 - MONTIJO

40. WORTEN MONTIJO
EST. CIRCULAR ARNEIRO Nº22
2870-152 - MONTIJO
Tel. 212308358

Portugal - 3G Mobile Internet

Have a look at this article on my blog.

http://bit.ly/clGPxo

Although Vodafone UK and Vodafone PT are the same company.... the dongles sold each country cannot be used in another country..even if you put a Portuguese SIM card in.

If you have a good 3g mobile signal (as against a "UMTS) signal at your property here in Portugal, you should be able to buy a Vodafone PAYG (as against PAYE:))))) dongle here in Portugal as indicated above. Note you really MUSY check that you can receive a good 3G signal inside the house her in Portugal, otherwise you will be wasting money

The Vodafone PAYG dongle rates can be found here: (in portuguese)

http://bit.ly/dBAOXH

Dongles from Vodafone, TMN and Kanguru are available from the respective shops in any good Algarve Shopping Centre or Town Centre.

Fixed internet access over 3G networks in Portugal

On a technical level PT are usually pretty quick these days in addressing line issues in the Algarve. However, you may well have problems with the bureaucratic process.

There may be another solution depending on your property's geographic location. Forget PT!

Depending on the volume of bandwidth you need each month, Vodafone have now launched a product called BestNet and TMN have a similiar one.
Kanguru Optimus probably have a similiar product but their site is a mess at the moment and it its difficult to ascertain package options..

This gives you broadband access over the mobile phone system. No phone line is required.

You could perhaps them make do with a mobile phone for voice calls and have broadband using the above system. I would suggest that you take the account out in your personal name.

Vodafone Broadband Tariff Details (in Portuguese) here:

http://bit.ly/cyxzR5

TMN Broadband Tariff Details (in Portuguese) here:

http://bit.ly/cyxzR5

However, I really do strongly recommend that you get a site test done at the property before going down this road to ensure that you can receive a stable 3G signal within the property and therefore receive the maximum speed available.

Video Flash Conversion

Not always!

With many web host providers one can purchase a video server option that allows mp4 and avi format files to run "as is" on the web providing viewers have the correct viewers installed.

Nonetheless, flash format is currently the most popular.

On the following page, ( http://bit.ly/dmmxnE ) I uploaded the mpg video file to Youtube, which converted it automatically. I then took the Youtube link and embedded it into the webpage.

Still took a while to upload the video though.

ffmpeg ( http://ffmpeg.org/ ) is an opensource (free) video format converter. It can convert from various formats to flv flash formats as well as 3gp mobile phone formats. Runs on Linux, Mac OSX and Windows. (Nerd Experience recomended)

Zip Files and Large Uploads

This is very strange.

A fully legal Win XP should normally only be installed in one language Portuguese or English ...not a mixture of both UNLESS one has downloaded other programs and not selected English as the default language.

With many programmes downloaded over the net, the website concerned will detect you are located in Portugal and then proceed to install the programme in Portuguese UNLESS one selects UK as you location or English as your default language when prompted. Mixed languages on Windoze or any machines is not good.

XP should automatically zip files to compressed folders.

However, what has happened here is that WINRAR has been installed on your system and has been selected as the "default" program for zipping files.

To confirm this I have just run a similar process on my other half's XP machine. This does not have Winzip nor WinRar installed. The file I selected zipped automatically using XP's onboard zip facility.

To resolve this zip problem, you would have to either deinstall WinRar or change the default program setting for zip files....not a Newbie 101 job!

Finally, I reckon that even if you zipped the file it still would take 25 minutes to load.

I've just zipped a movie of size 112MB and the resulting zip file size was 93Mb. Based on this, your file would still take 25 minutes to email once zipped. You may well find your email provider may not like this.

Use Youtube as recommended by the others. Howeverm it may well take 25 minutes or longer to upload the movie depending on your line speed and server traffic at the other end.

Website

As someone who has developed a few websites over the years, I take exception to the comment "but do not want to pay the sort of prices for website development that I was being charged when in the corporate world"!

The real reason website development prices can be high is because 90% of the time the client thinks its "just a website" and its "easy"!!!

Websites come in different types and sizes.......

Flat HTML
dynamic
flash animated etc.

All clients see is the final product and not the person hours that go into the graphic design aspect, the background coding and the domain/host server management. Also often, the web-designer has write/re-write the website content because the business owner has not!!!

A further oft-quoted complaint from clients is that once the website is "done", they don't get any traffic. That is not the web-designer's fault. Website marketing after the site is done is a totally different game.

Then, there is the client, who once the site is on-line, keeps coming back for changes ..."oh..its just a photo..it will not take long, will it?"

Even for a business start-up, a website properly developed and marketed can bring substantial returns. However, a website can only bring good returns in terms of a properly developed marketing strategy implemented by a business owner who is fully knowledgeable about how both the target market and www/internet work.

A final thought.....

If one is based in Portugal and looking at a website to promote products/services that will target more than one language, don't expect
the poor b___dy web-designer to do/arrange the translation as well within the initial budget price.

Kanguru Optimus Problems

The bottom line is NOT TO BELIEVE any sales rep via phone or in the flesh anywhere in the world when they assure you there will be coverage. Get some one who knows and with the right gear to test things out first. Its not just Kanguru, I've had clients who have had similar experiences with Sapo etc etc.

Sales reps just sell...They do not have the details nor access to the technical data to know if a specific location has a good signal. There may even be a good signal outside one's property, but inside owing to thick walls there may be none.

I don't know how many times I talked and written and warned about this and PEOPLE STILL DON'T LISTEN. Whether its Internet Broadband over landlines or via 3G over the mobile network, GET SOMEONE WITH TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WHO KNOWS (NOT THE SALES REP OR SHOP) TO CHECK WHETHER YOU CAN RECEIVE A SIGNAL BEFORE PARTING WITH MONEY.

Adsl - Vila Nova de Poiares - Portugal

I've had a look at Vila Nova de Poiares on google maps. It is only a couple of kms from Vila Cha.

Both look big enough to have a PT/SAPO adsl-equipped sub-exchange.

Provided you property is within 4,5 km to 5 km (by phone line - not as the fly crows) of one of these sub-exchanges SAPO ADSL should be possible. However, a big caveat. It may depended on the quality of the infrastructure and cables.

The likely applicable tariff will be this:

http://adsl.sapo.pt/prodtarif_outras_zonas.html

This property for sale here:

http://bit.ly/d77KAI

has adsl according to the post.

It is about 5km from Vila Nova de Poiares past Vila Cha.

I suspect the area is fairly well equipped with adsl equipped exchanges..it will just depend how far you property is from one.

I also suspect that you will be tied to using SAPO as most other ISP's do not find it commercially viable to offer adsl over landlines outside urban areas.

Acer Aspire One - Linplus Lite

The Linpus Linux Lite V1.0.21.E. Operating system is a commercial version of Linux customised for use on ACER Aspires etc. Because it is a commercial version of linux, it is not as easy to update or mess about with and updates are not as frequent as with main Linux Distributions such as Ubuntu.

The kernel...(the core of Linux)... is apparently an old one and it may be that the version installed on your machine does not have the included code necessary to run a 3G dongle.

However, there are various ways to possibly sort this out:

1) It may be that the dongle may work on the machine, but that the means of configuration are somewhat unclear. It maybe that a linux nerd could configure it without to much hassle as I understand that Linplus is based on the Fedora Distribution.

2) It may mean updating your machine's Linux kernel through the Asus online software support facility and then installing software.

3) Alternatively, there was a Linux dialer developed by some vodafone nerds, a couple of years ago. It worked on an earlier version of Ubuntu perfectly.

4) If all else fails, I would recommend reinstalling the machine with Linux Ubuntu Netbook Remix which is specially configured for Notebooks. I reinstalled an Acer Aspire One with this package a couple of months back and it has been a very stable system.

It may also be necessary to boost memory to 1GB for a dongle ot work properly.

One thing is sure make sure you get someone who knows Linux to sort it out. Most computers shops/Vodafone here in the Algarve do not have the necessary experience/knowledge.

However, I would recommend you get the machine tested and working with a 3G dongle prior to buying one.

3G Internet Spain

Useful article.

See: http://bit.ly/6qAJ5p

TV over Internet in Portugal

Interesting article of TV over Internet in Portugal here

http://bit.ly/54RrfV

Ubuntu XP dual boot

Have a look at this blog post about setting XP to be default boot on a dual booting machine.
http://bit.ly/8q7Mb7

Ubuntu Koala Bar Machine

I agree with these comments. I even build websites using linux and open source software.

See: www.dancaiberica.org

There is now a version of google chrome for Linux.

Yesterday, I delivered my first very small Linux install to a local bar. They had a five year old machine for use by punters that had been running on an Ubuntu Live CD just for the punters to use Firefox to browse the Internet.

They did not want to spend a fortune on new equipment. However, the motherboard had died.

I got Chipsite in Lagos to supply me with a new machine without a hard drive but with a card reader. Using a 4GB SSD flash card, (the type one uses in cameras) I installed a very stripped down version of Ubuntu from the command line. The installation occupied only 2GB and loaded Google Chrome and Pidgin Messenger.

The machine boots in less than 60 seconds and the browser is fast. It is ideal for a pub machine but one does notice some delay when writing to disk.

Nonetheless, I managed to save the client from having to buy a 160GB hard drive than would never be used. I have made a back up copy of the SSD. If anything goes wrong, I will just clone it onto another 4GB SSD (€ 7.00), drop round, plug it in and away they go.